Dictionary
per di•em
Pronunciation: (pur dē'um, dī'um), [key]1. by the day; for each day.
2. a daily allowance, usually for living expenses while traveling in connection with one's work or being employed at a distance from one's home:
a per diem for lawmakers while the legislature is in session.
3. paid by the day.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.